Maybe envy is the wrong word, but there are a few writers I'd really love to write like. Sophie Kinsella, for one. Her characters are flawed yet lovable, and I always roots for them to triumph over any challenges. She manages to write cringe-worthy and comic scenes at the same time, and keep the plot rolling.
If you could write like anyone, who would it be?
(And is it wrong to want to write like someone?)
If you could write like anyone, who would it be?
(And is it wrong to want to write like someone?)
Funny, I wrote this a few days ago and in the interim I've noticed there's been a similar theme going on in a few other blogs. Great minds...!
ReplyDeleteSo maybe the question should be: Should we want to emulate others?
If I could write like anyone, I would write like Ray Bradbury.
ReplyDeleteBut also: Diana Gabaldon. Margaret Wise Brown. Anne Lamott. Natalie Goldberg. Judy Blume. Diana Wynn Jones. Neil Gaiman.
Do I need to stop now??? (I could go on forever, you know.)
Yes, I think it is noble to want to emulate others, especially those giants who have gone before us who are so gifted, blessed in the way of writing and changing the world.
Good question. From my recent readings, I'd have to say I really admire Holly Black's style. She has a wonderful way with language and imagery. Oh, and Laurie Halse Anderson, too.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. My fave writers are all over the place in styles and genres: Tolkein, Roberts/Robb, LM Montgomery, Christie, McCaffrey, Lowry,... Hard to say.
ReplyDeleteMy trifecta of writers includes Bradbury, McCarthy, and Atwood.
ReplyDeleteAnd BTW, swing by my blog and pick up a Quillfeather Award from me. :)
I don't know that I have a writer that I would love to emulate, I think right now I just enjoy writing, I would love to have my book published but if I never do it won't stop me from writing. So right now I'd say me... I know so silly isn't it?!
ReplyDeleteAny of the Bronte sisters. Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are both still relevant today, in fact if they were written even in today's market, they'd probably rise to the top and be bestsellers. In fact, I wish my last name were Bronte. Charlotte Bronte-- how cool of an author name is that.
ReplyDeleteThe first writer that came to mind when I read your blog was Alan Bennett. This came as a surprise to me. I don't think my writing is remotely like Alan Bennett's. They say you shouldn't try to write like someone else but it's inevitable that we'll be influenced by the books that we read. I think I agree with Jen though. I'd like to write like me... only better.
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ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insight into the writing process. I'm always amazed by how disciplined some writers are - to get up so early and start writing before work! I'm not sure I could do that... maybe with the help of a *lot* of coffee!
ReplyDeleteI just want to write - I don't want to write like anyone else. I couldn't!
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